Illegal Tour Guides?

And they wonder why the world is as it is...

Published on October 21, 2004 By philomedy In Current Events

Just very briefly:

There is a law in Rome that fines local Romans for pointing out the sites to tourists. This, apparently, is to protect "professional" tour guides, who have to sit for an exam. And the world continues to be shocked at why people aren't friendlier with one another?

Comments

philomedy

on Oct 21, 2004

I forgot to post my source, which I think is necessary lest people think youre lying. Plus, I feel better about myself when I do. So yeah here it is:

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=6556794

clandestina.

on Nov 23, 2004

I was an illegal tour guide in Rome. It was the best job I ever had, even when it involved running from the police. My justification? Knowing that my tours were simply better than the official tour guides. Many official guides barely spoke English and would mumble simple platitudes about Michelangelo, while I could fluently tell real stories. The "test" you have to take to be a tour guide in Italy is oral and subjectively given. Listening to the authorized guides for a few hours lets you know that they are not uniformly educated on facts and history. Italy should stop embarrassing itself by upholding this law. I'm amused this is in the press now.

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